Bubble tower



July 8, 1930. y P J, SWEENY 1,770,221

BUBBLE TOWER Filed May l5. 1927 Patented July 8, 193D UNITED STATESAPATENT OFFICE PERRY J'. SWEENY, OF WHITING, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TOSTANDARD OIL COMPANY, OF WHITING, INDIANA,.A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

BUBBLE TOWER Application filed May 13,

.This invention relates to improvements in fractionating columns andparticularly to columns of the bubble cap type.

The invention will be readily understood from the following descriptiontaken in conand at its upper end with a liquid supply pipe 14 and avapor outlet 15.

Instead of the ordinary overflow pipes which are mounted on each bubbleplate and extend into the liquid maintained on the bubble plate nextbelow I provide overflow pipes 16 which contain a liquid seal or trapand are .provided with an outlet located above the liquid level of theplate next below.

Each of the overflow pipes 16 preferably comprises an upstanding nipple17. a flange 18 therebeneath for attachment toa bubble cap plate, and alower body portion constituted by sides 19 and a wall portion 20 whichextends downwardly from said flange, closes the bottom of the nipple 17and then proceeds upwardly forming with the sides 19 a well 21. The wall20 then bends downwardly again and together with extensionsof the sides19 forms a spout 22 which terminates, somewhat above the level of theliquid maintained in the next inferior plate. A septum 23 extendsbetween the sides 19 and from the flange 18 into the well 21 so as toestablish a liquid seal therein. The septum 23 preferably conver esdownwardly towards the vertical part o .the wall portion 20 so as tocreate a scavenging eifect in the `well 21 thus aiding in preventingaccumulation of rust or scale therein.

As shown in the drawings, the overflows 16 are attached to the bubbleplates 11 at a.

point near the margins thereof. It is preferred to place the overflows16 at opposite 1927. Serial No. 191,250.

points on alternate bubble plates. The liquid sealed spouts 18 extendtoward the central portion of each of the bubble plates 11. By means ofthis structure the overflow devices of the present invention pick up theliquid on their respective bubble plates at a point adjacent the marginthereof, and discharge it centrally of the bubble plate therebeneath andabove the level of the liquid thereon. By means of this structure,asubstantially uniform composition is realized for the pools of liquidmaintained on the bubble plates and consequently more accurate vaporfractionation is possible.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with thedetails of a specific embodiment thereof, it is not intended that suchdetails shall be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the inventionexcept in so far as included in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A bubble tower provided with super imposed bubble cap plates, thesuccessive bubble-cap plates being provided with overflow pipe plates,each comprising a nipple projecting above the bubble plate to which itis attached near the margin thereof, a spout below the plate andemptying centrally above the level of liquid on the plate beneath,whereby a flow of liquid is established from the central portion to themargin of said plates and means providing a liquid seal between saidoverflow and the spout.

2. A bubble tower provided with superimposed bubble cap plates, thesuccessive bubble-cap plates being provided with overflow pipes for saidbubble cap plates, each comprising a nipple projecting above the bubbleplate to which it is attached near the margin thereof, a well portion, aspout extending therefrom and emptying centrally above the level of liuid on the plate beneath, whereby a flow of liquid is established fromthe central portion to the margin of said plates and means providing alliquid seal in said wel] portion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of May,1927.

PERRY J. SW'EENY.

